Chinese authorities have said that inspections are underway into the possible illegal production and use of the ozone depleting substance CFC11 in polyurethane (PU) foam insulation following recent media reports.

Please register to start receiving monthly copies of the magazine for free

RAC Magazine is the leading source of news, information and analysis for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. For over a century, RAC has provided decision makers with unrivalled coverage of the latest technical innovations that drive this sector.

Ministers urge EU to set 2030 goal for renewable energy

Ministers from Germany, France and six other countries have called for the European Union to set a 2030 goal for renewable energy use, in opposition to their British counterpart who advocates a sole greenhouse gas emissions target, Reuters has reported.

A 2030 renewables goal, which would be part of a package of EU measures on energy and climate change, would cut dependency on fossil fuel imports and boost jobs and economic growth, the group of ministers said in a letter dated December 23 and seen by Reuters on Monday.

The letter is signed by ministers from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Portugal.

Ed Davey, Britain’s energy and climate change secretary, as well as some industry associations have said they favour a single binding 2030 goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions and head off climate change.

They contend that a single target could be cheaper, giving governments more flexibility in how they choose to cut those emissions, including building nuclear power plants or ramping up energy efficiency measures.

They also fear a renewables goal will dent the effectiveness of the Emissions Trading Scheme, Europe’s flagship climate policy, which has floundered under the current system of three separate 2020 green energy goals - for renewables, efficiency savings and emissions.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive, is expected to unveil a 2030 package on January 22 to start off a legislative process that could take at least two years.

In News

Subscribe today for free

RAC Magazine is the leading source of news, information and analysis for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. For over a century, RAC has provided decision makers with unrivalled coverage of the latest technical innovations that drive this sector.